Jonesta Andrews, had third child at 44

Jonesta, from Brighton, East Sussex, now 45, was over the moon at having her third child after seven years of trying

Despite being older, my body recovered faster

DEDICATED mum Jonesta had daughter Lucy, now six months, at 44. The waitress, from Brighton, East Sussex, now 45, was over the moon at having her third child after seven years of trying – but she does worry about her future. Jonesta, who is married to Anthony, 35, a former clown, says:

“I was surprised and pleased when I heard Geri was expecting at 44. The only advice I’d give her is to not let other people put you off.

“People told me having a baby at 44 was a risk but I don’t regret it – Lucy is perfect.

“My first two kids – Conan, nine, and Teela, seven – came without any effort.

“Anthony and I wanted another baby but I had two miscarriages, one in 2013 and another in 2014.

“Friends told me to give up, due to the increased risk of Down’s syndrome and stillbirth for older mums but I was determined.

“When I found out I was pregnant in July 2015, we were delighted.

“I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, common in older mums. But, despite my age, my body recovered faster than before. I needed injections to unclot my blood after Lucy but that was the only difference to having her in my forties and the others in my thirties.

“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about the future. I’ll be in my fifties when Lucy’s in primary school. I wonder if I’ll be around to see her get married. But you can’t guarantee being around anyway.”

Teresa Greenhalgh, became mum at 44

Teresa Greenhalgh, 47, from Wrexham in North Wales, had daughter Adelaide, now three, at 44

I knew mums in twenties just as exhausted as I was

DELIGHTED full-time mum Teresa Greenhalgh, 47, from Wrexham in North Wales, had daughter Adelaide, now three, at 44. Her longed-for baby came after 12 years of trying to conceive and she believes age is no barrier to being a good mum. Teresa, married to Tony, 54, who works in property, says:
“Tony and I met in 2002 and tried conceiving naturally for two years.

“We knew we wouldn’t qualify for NHS IVF because Tony already had a child, so we went private. I had three cycles of IVF at a clinic in Manchester but none worked. I then had three further failed cycles in Nottingham.

“In 2012, I went to the Zita West clinic in central London. I was 43 and two weeks after the embryo was implanted, I knew I was pregnant. Adelaide was born on March 1, 2014 and was perfect.

“I worried about recovery and being exhausted but I think it’s too easy to blame that on age. I know mums in their twenties who have been just as exhausted as I was.

“I have a duty to her as an older mum to stay in the best shape possible and Tony feels the same. I don’t want people on the school run thinking that we are grandparents.

“Geri expecting at 44 is wonderful news. I’d advise anyone pregnant at this age to rest as much as they can before the baby arrives, eat right and listen to your doctors.”

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Louise Mills, expecting at 45

BLOOMING Louise, from Liverpool, is expecting her first child next month at 45. The National Trust worker conceived during her perimenopause – meaning her ovaries had begun to produce less oestrogen in preparation for the menopause. Louise is delighted to be pregnant, saying:

“Doctors told me if I wanted a baby, I had only a 20 per cent chance of conceiving.

“I was single and still wanted to give birth, so just decided to be upfront with the guys I met, telling them

“I wanted children and didn’t have much time.

“I met my partner in June 2015 and told him on our first meeting for coffee that I wanted to have children.

“He wanted to have one, too. I conceived after we had been dating for seven months. We were both delighted.

“Everyone was so supportive and happy for us. I’m a youthful 45, so I don’t think age was an issue for them.

“My medical team usually induces mums over 40 two weeks before their due date. However, because I’m fit and healthy, the plan is for me to have a home water birth.

“I’ve done all the pregnancy fitness classes, so I’m mentally and physically in the best place I could be to become a mum.

“I would be lying if I said I hadn’t thought about my age, but I was never in the right situation or relationship before, so it’s not like I missed an opportunity.

“It just so happens he’s come along in my life now.”

Josie Dew became mum at 44 . . . and at 48

Josie, 50, got only positive reactions from friends to having daughter Daisy, at 44

With age comes so much more life experience

AUTHOR Josie, 50, got only positive reactions from friends to having daughter Daisy, at 44 and then son Jack at 48 – but medical professionals were worried about her age in pregnancy. The mum of three, from Liphook, Hants, who is married to carpenter Gary, 46, says:

“The reaction of friends and family was great when Daisy, who is now six, came along in 2010. That was four years after her sister Molly, now ten.

“No one mentioned my age, but hospital staff were different. The doctors talked about the increased risks of Down’s syndrome and other conditions. They were just doing their job by making me and my husband aware of the risks related to my age.

“I was keen for a home birth but was persuaded I should have Daisy in hospital, where they’d be able to intervene if something went wrong. I was home hours after she was born.

“I think the fact that, like Geri, I was in good physical condition helped a lot.

“I’m the oldest mum on the school run but no one bats an eyelid.

“Since Daisy, I’ve had Jack, three, and I’ll be nearly 60 when he finishes primary. It’s easy to say 44 is too old to have a child but I’d have been a useless mum in my twenties. With age comes so much more life experience.”